Improve Efficiency and Functionality in Your Business with SD-WAN

Software-defined networking in a wide area network, better known as SD-WAN, has become a useful and functional technology for companies nationwide. It provides an easier way to manage and operate the wide area network by decoupling networking hardware from the original control mechanism. Companies are then able to improve the management and operation of their data centers and create better performing WANs through the usage of lower-cost and more commercially available internet access. Doing this eliminates the need for businesses to use expensive private WAN connection technologies.

WANs are helpful in providing companies the ability to extend their computer networks large distances, allowing them to connect their offices to data centers. While they have served their purpose, the introduction of SD-WANs drastically improves the functionality of networks for companies. SD-WANs combine several different types of technology to support multiple connection types. They have the ability to use dynamic path selection to improve their load sharing and resiliency with networking functions, and their interface is made significantly easier to configure and manage.

These characteristics are highly useful for companies looking to expand their networking capabilities throughout various locations. While such large amounts of connectivity might create network connection or other delays, implementing SD-WANs assists in creating a more streamlined way to manage networks. Not only does it provide more network flexibility, having a centralized network allows changes throughout various connected sites to occur quickly in an organized manner.

By enhancing or even entirely taking the place of more traditionally used branch routers, SD-WANs fight the congestion caused by widely used networks, enhancing the performance of the network itself. Functions such as the ability to make network-wide changes throughout multiple sites through one click, run the network and applications through local sites, and more ease in creating routing policies simplifies network functioning for companies.

SD-WANs also give companies the ability to tailor their networks to their specific needs, offering preferences on configuration and control to the original data center. Features such as the ability to centrally configure each appliance, choose specific path selections for the network, and ultimately permitting all configurations to be done at a centrally based location provide administrators with a significant amount of control over networks in an easy and efficient way.

With such great benefits relating to network flexibility and management, companies will also find an enhancement of security through the implementation of SD-WANs. The firewalls set in place throughout the various networks, stemming from the central data centers, allow for a more secure system. The traffic throughout the network will be more monitored and ultimately more beneficial for the company in its ability to trust the systems integrity as it spreads throughout less central locations.

In addition to the security of SD-WANs, companies will also find it to be a more cost-effective alternative for the dependability and efficiency it provides. With its streamline methods of transferring data from a central data center to multiple sites as desired by the company, implementing SD-WANs allows connection at a lower price with the bandwidth. Additionally, the versatility of SD-WANs in their ability to connect more than one network replaces the need for multiple systems being used.

With various demands and needs for efficiency within a network utilized by companies needing to connect from various locations, SD-WANs prove to be a most effective choice. Not only do they simplify the process of connecting networks together, but they also provide a more cost-effective and organized system for administrators to work with. A company’s outreach and capabilities from locations outside of the central data center is drastically improved through the implementation of the SD-WAN, and it is an obvious choice for efficiency and functionality.

WheelHouse Solutions provides SD-WAN services throughout the St. Louis, MO area. We invite you fill out the form on this page for more information on SD-WAN and one of our representatives will get back with you quickly.

Why Your Business Needs 24/7 Circuit Monitoring

When your circuits go down, everything else stops and productivity comes to a screeching halt. The pace of most businesses cannot afford the impact of losing voice or data circuits during business hours. Businesses depend on connectivity for important functions like processing credit cards, placing orders and accessing business-critical data. When circuits are down, your business is, effectively, out of business until the circuit is restored.

What is Circuit Restore™?

Customers can now opt-in to a paid monthly service to proactively monitor voice and data circuits for outages and provide quick resolution. With Circuit Restore™, our Network Operations Center provides monitoring and circuit testing at scheduled intervals. In the event that a circuit is out of service, our team will notify you via email and, with Platinum Monitoring, we will also contact the service provider, open a ticket and communicate with the carrier until the circuit is restored and the ticket is closed.

Circuit Restore™ prevents costly down time and provides an exceptional level of responsiveness and customer support for only pennies a day. There are two service levels available.

Circuit Restore™ Gold

  • Circuit Pinged
    Pings are sent to measure packet loss, latency and determine if a circuit is operational. Five unsuccessful pings, in succession, will result in notifications being sent.
  • Email Notifications
    Notifications are sent via email to alert you that there’s a problem on your circuit. You will receive an additional email notification when the circuit is restored.

Circuit Restore™ Platinum

  • Circuit Pinged
    Pings are sent to measure packet loss, latency and determine if a circuit is operational. Five unsuccessful pings, in succession, will result in notifications being sent.
  • Email Notifications
    Notifications are sent via email to alert you that there’s a problem on your circuit. You will receive an additional email notification when the circuit is restored.
  • Carrier Contact
    WheelHouse will act on your behalf, contact the service provider and work to restore the circuit quickly, ensuring maximum uptime for your business.
  • Circuit Restored
    Once we have corrected the issue and the circuit is restored, we’ll notify you by email, ensure you’re happy and close the ticket.

WheelHouse Solutions provides circuit monitoring in St. Louis Missouri and across the country. If you would like more information on Circuit Restore™ for your business, please fill out the form on this page and one of our IT specialists will get back with you quickly.

Microsoft Announces Partnership to Expand 5G Worldwide

Microsoft has recently announced a partnership with the telecommunications industry, worldwide, to unlock the power of 5G and deliver cloud and edge technology closer than ever before. The partnership comes as a result of increased demand for always-on connectivity and secure collaboration, especially in the wake of more people working from home due to Covid-19.

Operators can harness the power of Microsoft Azure, on their edge or in the cloud, to transition into a more scalable and flexible version, cut down infrastructure costs, utilize AI and machine learning (ML) to automate operations, and differentiate service. In addition, the hybrid, hyper-scale infrastructure provides operators the responsiveness needed to innovate and experiment with new 5G providers on a programmable network.

“We’re building a carrier-grade cloud and bringing more Microsoft technology to the operator’s edge. This, in combination with our developer ecosystem, will help operators to future proof their networks, drive down costs, and create new services and business models”, the tech giant said in a statement.”

The network infrastructure must ensure users can optimize costs and gain efficiencies, while allowing personalized and reliable services. Microsoft recognizes the many challenges operators will face in rolling out 5G. “To address the requirements of rolling out 5G, operators will face high capital expenditure (CapEx) investments, an increased need for scale, automation, and secure management of the massive volume of data it will generate,” said Jason Zander, Executive Vice President, Microsoft Azure.

Most importantly, Microsoft plans to support operators as they grow their infrastructure and operations, utilizing technologies like software-defined networks, networking purpose virtualization and service-based architectures.

Currently, Microsoft has one of the largest networks connected with operators in over 170 points of presence and more than 20,000 peering connections worldwide, with direct connectivity for over 15 miles in 85% of the world’s GDP. “More than 200 operators have already chosen to integrate with the Azure network through our ExpressRoute service, enabling enterprises and partners to link their corporate networks privately and securely to Azure services”, Microsoft said.

As Microsoft builds out Azure for Operators, they recognize the importance of ensuring users have the control and visibility needed to manage their unique industry requirements.

If you’d like more information on Microsoft Azure, please fill out the form on this page and someone will get back with you quickly. You may also call us directly at 314-492-2506.